My thoughts turn to the brightest lights in our universe, that of the sun, the moon and the stars—a macrocosm of ever-constant life sustaining light — equally available to all living beings, creatures and plants. How wondrous.

During the shorter light-deprived days of Winter I reflect on how I can sustain feelings of hope and confidence. As I look inward to the realm of the microcosm, somehow, I find the wisdom to take correct action, the courage to face difficulties head on and the compassion to engage and find common ground with others. Enveloped by the lights of the macrocosm, the lights of wisdom, courage, compassion well forth lighting my path forward.

Again, how wondrous. Let’s appreciate and celebrate. Put your lights on!

Sue Peterson

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Every year in Seattle, as Summer turns to Autumn, the city collectively and tacitly bids farewell to the long sunny days and we embrace the striking autumnal Pacific Northwest Landscape. My late afternoon walks become a little more frigid, but it’s a small price to pay to enjoy the warm golden hues of the changing leaves. Then, seemingly overnight, the leaves are no longer above my head, but below my feet decaying in the rain. By Winter, the daylight hours grow short, and every step feels a little more depleting.

Even so, each year on a particularly dark evening walk, I’ll turn a corner to see the beginnings of the decorative lights that slowly spread throughout the city streets -- on houses, streetlamps and storefronts. Seeing these lights in the dead of winter feels like a reminder to smile -- to cease mourning the year that was -- to instead feel hopeful for the one to come. For me, this moment happens every year, without fail. It’s the moment when I stop looking down at the muddy leaves on the ground and start looking up at the lights and the people around me.

There’s a world of brightness in those tiny strings of lights. There’s a powerful communal feeling that comes from seeing different parts of a dark city light up the night in their own unique way. Even amidst the eerie silence of last winter, when it seemed like the lights were a little fewer and farther between, encountering an illuminated street or house felt like sharing a smile with a stranger.

It is my wish that our holiday exhibit “Put Your Lights On” will bring forth feelings of optimism, hope and togetherness. May we appreciate the lights in our own lives and anticipate those on the horizon. “Put your Lights On” and share a smile!

Trevor Doak